Best things to do in Tunis, Tunisia’s colourful capital

With its whitewashed facades, towering palm trees and ancient ruins set against a backdrop of dazzling turquoise water, Tunis is the quintessential Mediterranean scene.

Tunisia’s capital is home to three million people yet never feels too busy or chaotic, boasting a beautiful blend of both European and North African influences. Here, a fascinating culture, lively bazaar and creative cuisines combine with the picturesque waterfront boardwalks and luxe resorts in Gammarth and Marfa, making it an ideal getaway for those looking to mix relaxation with sightseeing.

With three lakes and a perch on the gorgeous Gulf of Tunis, Tunis is a popular spot for sun-seekers in the summer months, when warm nights bring glorious sunsets along the beach. The sites are endless for history buffs thanks to the Romans, and nearby adventures like camel rides and glamping in the Sahara Desert feel like something out of Arabian Nights.

From stunning viewpoints to centuries-old wonders, here’s where to find the best things to do in Tunis, Tunisia.

Quick find

Shop at the Medina of Tunis

The heart of the city is the Medina of Tunis, a UNESCO site dating back to the 700s making it one of the world’s oldest bazaars.

A maze of streets and alleyways lead past endless stalls where shopkeepers hawk wares like handicrafts, traditional dishware, leather goods, spices and colourful textiles. All the activity makes for quite the scene, unless you visit on a Sunday when some shops are closed which makes it a bit quieter.

One of the entrances is marked by the intricate Bab el Bahr archway, also known as the ‘French Gate.’ It divides the medina from the more modern part of Tunis, and just a block away you’ll find a large ‘Tunis’ sign which is a popular photo-op for tourists.

Just past the other end of the medina is Kasbah Square (Place de la Kasbah). It’s adorned with Tunisian flags, and hosts impressive government buildings like City Hall, the Ministry of National Defence (no photos allowed!), the National Monument of the Kasbah and the Mosquée El-Kasbah.

Visit the Bardo National Museum

Even if you’re not usually a museum person, the Bardo National Museum is a must-see if you visit Tunis.

Housed in an old Bylic palace, it holds one of the largest collections of Roman mosaics in the world along with Punic jewels, Greek art and marble sculptures. The architecture is visually stunning, and exhibits retrace Tunisia’s history from room to room.

Bardo National Museum in Tunis — Bardo National Museum

Tragically, the museum was the site of a terror attack in 2015, and a memorial to the victims sits at the entrance.

Wander through the lively, picturesque streets in Sidi Bou Said

One of the absolute best things to do in Tunis (and my favourite) is spending a couple hours wandering through the Sidi Bou Said district, which is deservedly the city’s most popular hangout and a fun spot for people watching.

Its hilltop views are mesmerizing, and the sparkling white buildings accented with blue shutters draped with fuchsia bougainvillea vines give major Santorini vibes.

An artist’s haven, Sidi Bou Said’s stone streets are lined with galleries as well as cafes, rooftop restaurants, boutiques and souvenir shops, and the smell of sweet treats wafts up in the air.

Visit on a weekday for a more serene experience: otherwise, brave the crowds on a weekend and you might get to enjoy an impromptu dance performance!

Get a history lesson in Carthage

One of the best places to visit in Tunis is Carthage, which dates way back to 9th century B.C. and was home to a dominating civilization and major trading empire along the Gulf of Tunis.

During the Punic wars, Carthage occupied territories belonging to Rome which finally destroyed its rival in 146 BC. A second (Roman) carthage was then established on the hilltop ruins of the first, and the archaeological site now has a UNESCO designation.

There are absolutely fantastic city views and lookout points at the entrance, and the main square is anchored by a towering cathedral that is no longer used other than for special events.

Interpretive signs highlight some of the attractions once found in the ancient city, like the acropolis of Byrsa, Punic ports, an amphitheater, aqueduct, baths, homes and even a circus.

Explore the Antonine Baths

The Antonine Baths are just down the road from Carthage, and the site of what was once the largest complex of Roman baths outside of Rome.

Also referred to as The Baths of Antoninus, Baths of Carthage or Thermes D’Antonin, the monument was built in 2nd century AD and was multiple storeys high. It held a hot room, cold room and swimming pool overlooking the Mediterranean Sea.

The only part of the archeological park remaining today is the basement, which is still fascinating to walk around and see monuments dating back to the Punic, Roman and late Antiquity eras including a Byzantine chapel, Christian churches, tombs and a ceramic oven.

Is Tunis safe?

At time of writing, Tunis is definitely one of the safer North African countries–I actually spent a couple of days exploring the city as a solo, pregnant (!) female traveller while waiting for friends to join me, and had zero issues.

I typically book group day trips when travelling alone and did the same here; however, after visiting main attractions like Carthage and Sidi Bou Said I think I would have been just fine getting a taxi to drop me off and exploring by myself.

Like literally everywhere else on earth I probably wouldn’t suggest wandering around alone in Tunis at night, but overall I didn’t have any safety concerns.

My one tip would be to pre-arrange airport transportation, since taxi drivers are known to overcharge unsuspecting tourists. While I was getting into a cab, a man started loading my bags in without my permission then demanded payment: he wasn’t taking no for an answer even as I tried to shut the door on him, and police eventually walked up and told him to scram.

Another issue my friends encountered was having about $10,000 worth of their camera gear held by customs as they made their way through arrivals at the airport, with officers saying it looked ‘too professional’ and they didn’t have commercial permits.

Despite long conversations and even some diplomatic involvement from tourism officials, they weren’t able to get it back until flying out nearly two weeks later. Oh, and don’t even think about bringing a drone here.

Where to stay in Tunis

Visitors will find most of the major hotel and resort chains in Tunis, whether it’s a business hotel in the city centre or a five-star, beachfront resort.

Stay close to the medina and book into a traditional dar if it’s culture you’re after; otherwise, stay in La Marsa or Gammarth at a spot like the Four Seasons for more of a vacation vibe along the Mediterranean Sea.

Some of the top rated accommodations in Tunis are:

Movenpick Hotel Du Lac Tunis: The Movenpick has great waterfront views thanks to its perch along Tunis Lake, and is only a 10 minute drive from the airport and 15 minutes from downtown. This five-star property has a gym, pool, multiple restaurants and a spa, along with conference areas making this a popular pick for the business crowd. Click here to book
Dar El Jeld Hotel & Spa: Located just steps from the medina, this boutique hotel is a Tunisian-style property. Guests love the rooftop dining, central location, large rooms and on-site hammam. Click here to book
El Mouradi Gammarth: I stayed at the El Mouradi Gammarth, which has a good price point and great location just across from the beach. There’s a gigantic outdoor pool, numerous restaurants, gym, spa and children’s club. The service wasn’t always the best and my room felt dated, but I’d still recommend it as a decent option–especially if you book a room overlooking the pool. Click here to book

Day tours in Tunis

As mentioned, it’s quite easy to explore Carthage, Sidi Bou Said and also the Bardo National Museum on your own. However, you’d be missing a lot of the insight and history that you get by touring with a local guide, which is why booking an excursion is usually recommended.

If time allows, there are also some great day trips like visiting the ancient, holy city of Kairouan, the impressive Dougga UNESCO site and an adventure in the Sahara over in Djerba.